You're Going to Need a Bigger Boat - Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

The BBC Press Office released more information about the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special for 2010, titled, A Christmas Carol. The special will be transmitted on the BBC and BBC America on Christmas Day.

"The thrilling adventures of the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) and newlyweds Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) will continue in a Doctor Who fun-filled and heartfelt festive story, A Christmas Carol, this Christmas on BBC One.

In the grand tradition of Doctor Who Christmas specials, this year the show has once again attracted stellar guest stars, as veteran actor Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, The Singing Detective) and Opera diva Katherine Jenkins, in her first acting role, join the Time Lord for what might be his most Christmassy adventure yet!

On winning her part, Katherine Jenkins said: 'I'm over the moon to be involved in the Doctor Who Christmas Special – I can't quite believe it as it's a part of the family tradition at the Jenkins household. I heard the news that I got the role on my 30th birthday and it was the best birthday present ever!'

About the series, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, commented: 'Oh, we're going for broke with this one. It's all your favourite Christmas movies at once, in an hour, with monsters. And the Doctor. And a honeymoon. And... oh, you'll see.

'I've honestly never been so excited about writing anything. I was laughing madly as I typed along to Christmas songs in April. My neighbours loved it so much they all moved away and set up a website demanding my execution. But I'm fairly sure they did it ironically.'

The Christmas special follows on from Matt Smith's first series as The Doctor, which attracted huge critical acclaim for Smith, his companion Gillan and lead writer Moffat, from press and legions of fans alike.

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning said: 'Matt Smith and Karen Gillan captivated audiences in their debut series, and Doctor Who's clever twist on the much loved A Christmas Carol will thrill BBC One viewers this year with special guest stars Sir Michael Gambon and singing sensation Katherine Jenkins joining Amy and the Doctor for an unforgettable present!'

The series was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning for BBC One.

Steven Moffat is Lead Writer and Executive Producer with Piers Wenger and Beth Willis also executive producing."

Cast

The Doctor: Matt Smith

Amy Pond: Karen Gillan

Rory Williams: Arthur Darvill

Kazran Sardick/Elliot Sardick: Michael Gambon

Abigail Pettigrew: Katherine Jenkins

Captain: Pooky Quesnel

Crew

Executive producer and writer: Steven Moffat

Executive producers: Piers Wenger and Beth Willis

Director: Toby Haynes

Producer: Sanne Wohlenberg

Synopsis: (POSSIBLE SPOILERS)

It's the deepest part of winter, the exact midpoint, Christmas Eve – halfway out of the dark. Amy and Rory are trapped on a stricken space liner that's plummeting through banks of thick icy fog to the surface of the planet below.

Only one man has the power to save them; only one man is in possession of a machine that can clear the fog and let them land safely.

That man is Kazran Sardick, a rich but lonely old miser who rules Sardicktown with a sky-mast of iron.

The Doctor's only chance of rescuing the ship's four thousand passengers is to save Kazran's soul and show him that life is worth living. For this he needs to go back, way back, to when Kazran was a boy with a life full of promise.

But can the Doctor put a song in Kazran's heart and love in his life, in time for Christmas? Can he bring him out of the dark?